Hicks "adolescent"

So through twitter I have met a few like minded souls and I am going to start doing a few underground reviews based on some recommendations.

Which brings us to this Hicks joint. I enjoyed this and listened to it over my morning coffee. I found myself bangin my head at some points, which is impressive for the morning :-) Although I enjoyed it there where some downfalls (for me) that i am quickly going to get off my chest, as the good certainly outweighs bad.

Some of the tracks were way to poppy for my taste ("dont judge me" in particular) but thats "my" taste. Also I think some of the guest vocals let him down at some points. The dudes double time in the track "out of my mind" is up there with the best of them and the content of that first verse blew my mind! Not saying the other mc's are no good I just think that was a banger as a solo track and I would have loved it to stay that way.

Now on too the good. Overall this is a good effort and his rhymes are descriptive, meaningful and on point. His double time is flawless and content relevant. Once again I have to mention the double time. The track "im a boss" really showcases his talent and it blew me away!

The biggest positive for me was this guys tone and flow. He sounds great! His flow is impecable and his sound is so unique and individual I have not heard anything of the like. This leaves doors open for this young mc as he carves his name all over these beats, and I think future work from this dude will only be better.

Overall a really decent effort. Keep an eye on this dude as he has razor sharp flow and tone for days! There is room for improvement but this only leaves me waiting with baited breath for another release. The only thing I would love to see in the next release is better song structure. Sometimes if a track starts of strong with one banger mc, keep that going. Sometimes less is more.

Stand out tracks...
Out of my mind
Im a boss

2.5 out of 5

Freeman 'Hello' Ep

If i tune into a local radio station or MTV I find myself thinking all time "man, what's gonna happen to hiphop"?

Im not gonna drop any names or songs cause I dont get down like that nor is this an avenue to diss artists, but..... A BIG but...... a lot of the stuff coming out is (A) not hiphop (in fact that is insulting on so many levels) and (B) SHIT! There I said it.

This is where that " man, what's gonna happen to hiphop" thought comes to my mind, and if this is what the kids today think is hiphop then is the true feeling, meaning, culture and essence of hiphop slowly dying? Enter Freeman and the 'Hello' Ep.

Looks like hiphop is in good hands because here comes a kid who is 15 years old and is pushing out his new ep. And I know what your thinking.... whats new? With the digital age there are thousands of kids thinking they are rappers, Right? Wrong! This one is different and the first track made me smile straight away!

From the first track 'survival tactics' I thought "Hallelujah" (picture me using a fan down at worship if that helps) the beat, flow and essence of the track reaked..... no..... Stank of hiphop.... real hiphop..... like golden era hiphop.

This held the Ep in good stead for me as its so refreshing to see a 15 year old from Woodstock/Canton Georgia make some real hiphop and do it well. Keep in mind this did not stop me.from reviewing it as I should....... :-)

The first track is a banger and will have ya head bobbing in no time. But it's not just that, this kid has some sharp, smooth flow and there is some good concepts and a great deal of thought put into his lyrics. The track "Through my eyes" for instance, the thought and word play spun me out as it was one of those tracks/ ways of rhyming that makes u second guess the concept and what you just heard. Kinda Ghost face esk if you understand what I mean.

His concepts are tight and some of the things he is talking about are what someone who is in there 30's might rap about, There is real deep thought and that is truly commendable these days.The beats are good and what hooks me most with this kid is his flow! You can tell that his next releases are only going to get better as there is room for some improvement. In saying that,  he is 15 and name 5 albums that are completely perfect..... You cant!

This is one of those Ep's where in 10 years from now some young kids could be like, "ay yo! Did you cop that new Freeman joint, I got all his albums". "Oh yea, I bet u aint got the "hello" Ep". I think this kid will be around for a while, as his flow and voice are crazy smooth! 

So go ahead young fella, keep ya game tight! And carry the beacon! And people download this now, its well worth a listen!

http://freeman12.bandcamp.com/album/hello

Stand out tracks....
Survival tactics
Through my eyes
Hello

3 out of 5

Rapsody "The idea of beautiful'

On the subject of female rappers, what comes to mind? Booty shakin and popping? How bout over sexualised content with a lack of "true" lyrical ability? That my friends is an unfortunate stero type that the vast majority of us paint female mc's into. Well.... Get ready to throw that out of the window as this debut album will change these narrow trains of thought that alot of us cant help but having.

There have been some legit female mc's over the years that could hang with their male counterparts, but this girl can and will not only hang but challenge. This is an album that will break down these stereotypes and convert some narrow minds as this girl can spit!

Her flow and timing is impecable, and her content and story telling abilities are second to none. But enough about the rapper what about the album!!!

Its good, I mean really good. From the first track "motivation" you soon realise from here on in your in for a musical journey,  with that melodic piano riff and that dreamy baseline it made me smile straight away. The lyrics on this track are excellent, they really exhibit her story telling abilities and made me sit back in my seat and think..... "holy shit, she really has something to say here" I was hooked.

That dreamy feel is consistant throughout and the content of the lyrics have the same effect, captivating and thought provoking. The beats are soulful, the hooks and choruses, catchy and classy. 9th and the producers of this album have done a great job in complementing Rapsodys flow and delivery as she spits with meaning and soul and these beats go hand in hand with this

Then comes the track "nonfiction" a real banga! You cant help but bang your head and shout hooooooweeeeee! This album shows that this girl has a lyrical.ability, flow and swagger that can tell a.great story one minute and have you banging your head the next.

To sum things up.... one of my favourite albums of 2012, a must listen. Rapsody has really honed her craft in what has astounded me as a debut release! Stay tuned for future work.

Stand out tracks.....

Nonfiction
Precious wings
Believe me
Motivation

4 out of 5

Black American Gangster (9th remix) review

Don't get me wrong I love Jay, but this is like nothing I have ever heard from him! And I know what your thinking... well of course not it's a remix.... But just stick with me here :-)

From the very first track "Pray" that 70"s new York feel Hits you right in the face! This is obviously the concept of the original album but laced with 9th wonders trade mark soul filled beats, cuts and samples, it really did transport me to that place and that time.

9th's beats coupled with Jigga"s crazy word play, story telling abilities and his distinctive effortles flow (or drawl if you will) really added a new element to this album for me. Distinctive gospelesk voices singing the hooks along with the complementary 70"s style brass and bass sounds that accompany many of 9th's beats make you feel as though if hip-hop were big in the 70's THIS is what it would sound like!

You can tell a lot of heart and soul went into this album from both parties. Jay's Crazy descriptive verses about his family and where he grew up..... Broooooklyyyn Zoo! And that trademark 9th wonder soul makes this a perfect combination! As 9th wonder recently said "I don't make rap or club beats, I make life beats, soul, music about life". This is clearly evident here as 9th has brought a whole new element, and has made this album seem more meaningful... to me anyway.

I'm not hating on the original, I just think this one is better! :-)

So bump this one in your headphones (loud) and go back to the 70's in Harlem/Brooklyn for about 45 mins, this one is a trip!!!

Stand out tracks...
Pray
Black American gangster
No hook

4 out of 5